Innovating for The Circular Economy: Driving Sustainable Transformation

Description

Systemic change is required to move to a circular economy (CE) model which can meet the demands of a growing population in a manner that is decoupled from resource use and waste generation. This book takes a deep dive into the innovation aspect of the circular economy (CE), with a specific focus on India as a geography, where the transformation to a circular economy is underway. How a developing country like India is tackling the complexities of the transformation and creating innovative solutions is showcased in this book through many practical examples and inspirational case studies. The book lays out the foundations for mainstreaming resource efficiency (RE)/CE in India, and covers innovation led by businesses and start-ups, along with the innovative policies, financing, and collaborative models required to spur and accelerate circular economy approaches, while also providing linkages to the international context. Features Provides insight into the role of innovation in the circular economy transition; Helps to develop and facilitate adoption of resource-efficiency policy and strategy with particular focus on key resource sectors and waste streams; Treats the circular economy as a holistic approach across the entire lifecycle, and places emphasis on upstream interventions and systems change; Examines the current context of COVID-19 and its impact on circular economy models and practices; Touches upon how the EU-based approach was adapted and contextualised significantly to work in the unique Indian landscape. This book is aimed at students, researchers, and professionals engaged in the domains of circular economy, sustainability, business innovation, environmental studies, natural resources management, and environmental and resource conservation policy. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents About the Editors List of Contributors Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Chapter 1 Enabling Framework for Circular Economy Transition and Policy Innovation: An Indian and Global Perspective 1.1 Our Point of Departure 1.2 Turning Points and Transitions: From a Linear to a Circular Economy 1.2.1 Social 1.2.2 Technological 1.2.3 Economic 1.2.4 Environmental 1.2.5 Political 1.3 Recent Developments in Mainstreaming CE in India and the EU 1.4 Role of International Cooperation in Mainstreaming RE and CE 1.5 Policy Instruments Promoting Uptake of Circular Economy 1.6 Exemplary Policy Instruments and Best Practices Promoting CE 1.6.1 Eco-design 1.6.2 Repair and Product Life Extension 1.6.3 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 1.7 Conclusions and Recommendations References Chapter 2 Complexities and Challenges of the Circular Economy Transition 2.1 Systems Innovations for Circularity: Complexities and Challenges 2.2 The Indian and South Asian Contexts 2.3 CE Transition Challenges: Strengths, Opportunities, and Emerging Solutions in India and South Asia 2.3.1 Digital and Technological Innovations to Increase Resource Recovery, Traceability, and Materials Quality 2.3.2 Inclusive Business Models and Circular Market Innovations 2.3.3 Policy Innovations in India and South Asia: From Extended Producer Responsibility to a Comprehensive Resource Policy 2.4 Conclusions: CE Lessons from India and South Asia for the Rest of the World References Chapter 3 Financing for a Circular Economy 3.1 Redefining Economic Exchange in Traditional Transactions and Emergence of Product-Service Systems 3.1.1 Redefining the Fundamentals of Utility 3.1.2 Description of Product-Service Systems 3.2 The Crucial Role of Finance in Transitioning to and Establishing a Circular Economy 3.2.1 Financing Collaboration 3.2.2 Financing Business Transformation 3.2.3 Financing Circular Economy–Related Initiatives through Investments 3.2.4 Facilitating the Financing of Local and Micro Activities 3.2.5 Blended Finance Approaches 3.3 Conclusions Note References Chapter 4 Social Innovation for the Circular Economy: An Example of Informal Waste Recycling 4.1 The Informal Sector Is Critical for the Circular Economy 4.2 Role of the Informal Sector in the RECYCLING Economy 4.2.1 Impact of GST on the Recycling Sector 4.2.2 What Determines Plastic Scrap Prices? 4.3 Successful Informal Sector Integration Models in India 4.3.1 SWaCH Model, Pune: India’s First Self-Owned Cooperative of Waste Pickers 4.3.2 Ambikapur, Chattisgarh: Cities Integrating Informal Sector to Generate Value From Resources 4.3.3 Hasiru Dala: Social Business Enterprise 4.3.4 Phool: Circular Business Models 4.4 Social Inclusion (SI) of Informal Sector in Designing Circular Economy Models in India 4.4.1 CE Transition in Informal Sector through Social Innovation 4.4.2 Frugal Innovation 4.4.3 Role of Informal Sector in Product Life Extension 4.4.4 Integration of Informal Sector in Cities 4.4.4.1 Identification and Mapping of Informal Sector Stakeholders in Cities 4.4.4.2 Training and Capacity Building of Informal Stakeholders 4.4.4.3 Guidelines on Inclusion of Informal Workers in the Circular Economy and Resource Management 4.4.4.4 Ensuring Fair Pricing and Wages 4.4.4.5 Informal Sector Cooperatives and SHGs 4.4.4.6 Occupational Health and Safety 4.5 Informality and the Legal Regulatory Framework References Chapter 5 Private Sector Experiences in Circular Economy Business Innovation: A Case Study on Mahindra 5.1 Introduction: The Role of the Private Sector in the Circular Economy Transition 5.1.1 Circular Economy Transition and the Indian Private Sector: An Overview 5.2 Business Innovation towards a Circular Economy: A Case Study on Mahindra GROUP 5.2.1 Embedding Circular Economy in the Mahindra Way 5.2.1.1 Value from Steel Scrap 5.2.1.2 Value from Waste Mud Generated in the Camshaft Grinding Process 5.2.1.3 Value from Food Waste: The Mahindra World City (MWC) Experiment 5.2.1.4 Value from Food Waste: A New Green Business 5.2.1.5 Value from Scrapped Automobiles: A New Green Business 5.2.2 Challenges and Learnings in the Transition 5.3 Conclusions References Chapter 6 Start-ups and Digitalisation for Circular Economy in India and Europe 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Case Studies from India 6.2.1 Kiabza 6.2.1.1 Origins, Motivation, and Rationale 6.2.1.2 Business Model and Operations 6.2.1.3 Key Factors for Success and Challenges 6.2.2 Banyan Nation 6.2.2.1 Origins, Motivation, and Rationale 6.2.2.2 Business Model and Operations 6.2.2.3 Key Factors for Success and Challenges 6.2.3 Recykal 6.2.3.1 Origins, Motivation, and Rationale 6.2.3.2 Business Model and Operations 6.2.3.3 Key Factors for Success and Challenges 6.3 Digitalisation as an Enabler for the Circular Economy (with Examples from the EU) 6.3.1 Information Transfer across Value Chains 6.3.2 Service-Based Business Models 6.3.3 Circular Design of Products 6.3.4 Circular Practices in the Use Phase 6.3.5 Circular Management of Waste 6.3.6 Challenges to Digitalising the Circular Economy 6.4 Policy Framework for Action 6.4.1 Global Developments on Circular Economy and Digitalisation 6.4.2 The EU’s Digital and Circular Economy Policies 6.5 Conclusions 6.5.1 Digital Technology 6.5.2 Policy Landscape 6.5.3 Investment and Financial Viability 6.5.4 Market Understanding 6.5.5 Partnerships Note References Chapter 7 Models of Collaboration for Circular Economy Innovation 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Case Studies Featuring Indian Innovators 7.2.1 Case Study 1: Viscose Traceability Project 7.2.1.1 Context 7.2.1.2 The Collaboration 7.2.1.3 The Need for Collaboration: Multi-stakeholder Pilots 7.2.1.4 Mechanics of the Collaboration 7.2.1.5 Next Steps 7.2.2 Case Study 2: Dow–Lucro Partnership 7.2.2.1 Context 7.2.2.2 The Collaboration 7.2.2.3 The Need for Collaboration: One-on-One Partnerships 7.2.2.4 Mechanics of Collaboration 7.2.2.5 Next Steps 7.3 Conclusions and Recommendations 7.3.1 Collaborating for Piloting Solutions 7.3.2 Collaborating for Scaling Up Proven Solutions 7.3.2.1 Large Enterprises 7.3.2.2 Innovators/start-ups 7.3.2.3 Ecosystem Level References Chapter 8 Emerging Trends in Circularity in India and the Impact of COVID-19 8.1 Subscription Models for Personal Mobility 8.2 Plastics Recycling Value Chain 8.2.1 Building Innovative and Resilient Business Models for Plastic Recycling 8.2.2 Financing Innovation in Plastic Recycling 8.2.3 Industry Partnerships and Commitments on Plastic Recycling 8.2.4 Policy Impetus to Plastic Recycling 8.3 Distributed Manufacturing and Localised Production 8.4 Conclusion References Index